Boy racers put off the road in city's undercover sting

An undercover sting in Tauranga has cost 25 boy racers their cars and resulted in fines for dozens of them.

In the six-week operation, Tauranga City Council contractors went undercover to spy on boy racers and collect evidence for police.

Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby yesterday said: "It's really pleasing to know so many cars have been taken off the roads and so many people have been issued with infringement notices.

"The lack of respect shown by these people toward others and their property is just not acceptable."

Sustained burnouts, pouring diesel and shredding tyres, often while drinking alcohol and smashing glass, were some of the activities council staff saw during the sting.

"Some of the driver behaviour is appalling and the anti-social disorder and safety risks that accompany this group are not going to be tolerated by council," Mr Crosby said.

The operation came five months after two youthful-looking police officers went undercover against boy racers.

A constable and a policewoman gathered evidence by hiring a racer-style car and mixing with the crowd.

But the council's environmental compliance manager, James Jefferson, would not give details of how the latest operation was done.

"It's a pretty high-risk job for the people involved and extremely volatile - I wouldn't want to give anyone an advantage by saying exactly how these operations are carried out."

The Western Bay's top traffic officer, Senior Sergeant Ian Campion, said the operation produced a good result.

"We impounded 25 vehicles and issued numerous infringement notices relating to driver behaviour.

"These included infringements for vehicle equipment - noisy exhausts, cars that weren't up to a warrantable standard ... and uncertified modification."

Owners of seized cars have to pay towing fees, storage costs and ensure the vehicles are roadworthy before they can get them back.

Mr Crosby said the blitz on boy racers was far from over.

"More prevention measures will be put in place and public reserves and commercial areas will be redesigned to make it safer and to guard against boy racer activities."